Seeds from rare island tree arrive at Kew Wakehurst

The last surviving wild *dendroseris neriifolia* tree, a critically endangered species endemic to Chile’s Juan Fernández Islands, has had seeds collected from its cliffside habitat on Robinson Crusoe Island. The seeds arrived at Kew Wakehurst’s Millennium Seed Bank in late 2023, where X-ray analysis revealed 25 of the 29 seeds are potentially viable, offering a critical chance for survival. The tree, known as a ‘tree-daisy,’ is part of a unique genus found only in the archipelago, where 65% of plant species exist nowhere else. Conservationists now divide the seeds between germination trials and long-term storage, with eight seedlings already established. Three will be sent to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to maximize genetic diversity. Once numbering eight wild individuals, the species declined due to invasive species, habitat destruction, and failed reintroduction efforts. A 2017 collapse in protective measures left only one tree in the wild, while ex-situ collections in Chile failed due to unsuitable conditions. Hybridization and non-viable seeds further complicate recovery. The Juan Fernández Islands, 760 km off Chile’s coast, are a biodiversity hotspot, home to 97% of Chile’s endemic fish and 45% of its endemic birds. The *dendroseris* flowers also support the critically endangered Juan Fernández firecrown hummingbird, whose survival depends on these plants. Seed collection required climbing the cliffside tree, supported by ropes, with 400 seeds gathered annually in March. Conservationists emphasize the urgency, as the species’ last realistic chance hinges on successful germination and propagation. The Millennium Seed Bank’s intervention follows decades of decline, with the tree’s survival now dependent on ex-situ conservation efforts.